EUR/USD
1.17839
-0.266%
Gold
5357.03
1.780%
Oil
71.085
5.821%
USD/JPY
156.566
0.253%
GBP/USD
1.34360
-0.303%
GBP/JPY
210.366
-0.052%
Real-time News
On March 2nd, Bank of Japan Deputy Governor Ryozo Himino gave no clear indication of a near-term interest rate hike, reinforcing financial markets expectations that the central bank will remain on hold in March. Following the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East last weekend, the market widely believed the Bank of Japan would maintain a wait-and-see approach. Himino stated, "I want to closely monitor the situation in the Middle East," a stark contrast to his comments in January, when he indicated the committee would discuss interest rate hikes at its upcoming meeting. Himino, who will hold a press conference this afternoon, said his prepared remarks were made before the weekend and therefore did not include his views on the Middle East situation. Himino stated that recent data "means the impact of a near-term rate hike remains limited, and financial conditions remain loose," suggesting there is still room for borrowing costs to rise. He also stated that underlying inflation is steadily rising and cited the Bank of Japans long-standing stance that it will continue to raise interest rates if its economic outlook is realized.The China Earthquake Networks Center officially reported that a 5.9-magnitude earthquake occurred at 11:55 a.m. on March 2 in the volcanic archipelago of Japan (23.10 degrees north latitude, 144.15 degrees east longitude), with a focal depth of 10 kilometers.According to ABC News, the U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote on a war powers resolution on Thursday that would require the president to obtain congressional approval before taking any further military action.According to Iranian media reports on the 2nd, the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said that a US MQ-9 Reaper drone was intercepted and shot down by a defense system in Isfahan, Iran.Daiwa: Lowered its target price for Xiaomi Group (01810.HK) from HK$55 to HK$45.
